Life
Out and About
Stehekin: A Boat Ride Away From It All
A few things to keep in mind when planning your trip: •
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Make round-trip reservations in advance. The boat only runs on certain days at certain times. If visiting the Stehekin Pastry Company is high on your list (which it should be), make certain to visit on the weekend. There are no services available unless you visit in the summer months. You must bring all your own food, toiletries, and supplies for the duration of your stay. There is no cell phone reception. The cabin we stayed at had Wi-Fi but check before you book. Bring cash if you want to tip tour operators.
BellinghamAlive.com
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISETTE WOLTER-MCKINLEY
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ANY OF YOU have probably
visited Lake Chelan a time or two, but did you know there is a spectacularly quaint town called Stehekin only a boat ride away? Visiting Stehekin is much like stepping back in time; there are no stoplights, traffic, or sit-down restaurants, and for the most part, you will have the place to yourself. Your first question might be how one gets to such a lovely place. There are no roads into Stehekin, but you may reach it one of three ways: on foot, by boat, or by plane. The simplest way to arrive is by boat.
The journey to Stehekin is almost as grand as the destination itself. Within three hours you will arrive at the east end of Lake Chelan, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The boat ride is a glorious journey past waterfalls and waterfront homes with mountain peaks looming in the distance. Stehekin is located deep in the North Cascades and is a Salishian word meaning “the way through.” The Stehekin Valley serves as a passageway for travelers as it links Washington’s interior wilderness to the rugged Cascade Mountains.
